South Florida has three big airports: Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). In this blog, I will only focus in traveling between MIA and FLL using Tri Rail.
Quick Summary
- Fare: $5.00 (one way; adult)
- Train Trip Duration: Around 35 minutes between MIA and FLL
- Shuttle Trip Duration from FLL Station to FLL Airport: 5 minutes
- People Mover from MIA Station to MIA Airport: 3 minutes
- Train Frequency: Train arrives/departs almost every hour
- Baggage Storage/Rack on the train: Yes
- Baggage Storage/Rack on the shuttle bus: Yes
- Lavatory on the train: Yes
What is Tri Rail?
Tri Rail is South Florida’s Commuter Train that travels between three counties: Miami-Dade (main city is Miami), Broward County (main city is Fort Lauderdale), and West Palm Beach (main city is West Palm Beach). This train is operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA).
Step 1: Starting from FLL Airport
At FLL Airport, there is a Tri Rail Shuttle bus that stops at FLL Airport Terminals (near the pick up area or after picking up your luggage). In this example, I’ve boarded the Tri Rail Shuttle bus at FLL Terminal 1.
After retrieving your luggage at Terminal 1, go outside and look for Bay “B” with a Tri Rail Logo sign.
Tri Rail Shuttle bus arrives/departs every 15 minutes. Inside the shuttle bus, there is a baggage storage to store your bags.
The image below is a route map of Tri Rail Shuttle Bus. This Shuttle bus will stop at all terminals. After Terminal 4, the bus will travel directly to Tri Rail Fort Lauderdale Airport Station. The trip between FLL Airport to Fort Lauderdale Airport Station is around 5 minutes.
Step 2: Fort Lauderdale Airport Station
Once the shuttle bus arrives to Fort Lauderdale Airport Station, the next step is purchase a ticket. You can purchase tickets at the station kiosk or the ticket vending machine.
Purchasing tickets
At the station, you go purchase the ticket:
- Ticket Kiosk (or station manager)
- Ticket Vending Machine (TVM)
- Tri Rail Mobile App (see more details about their official app)
- Miami-Dade Transit Easy Card
As of December 2023, one way full ride between Fort Lauderdale Airport Station to Miami Airport Station is $5.00 (weekends or holidays) or $3.75 during the weekdays. Note that Miami Airport Station and Fort Lauderdale Airport Station are located two different zones. Therefore, the cost of those two zones is $3.75.
Which tracks/platform to wait?
If you are going to Miami International Airport (MIA), wait on Track 1. If going to north of Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach, wait on Track 2.
Step 3: Onboard the train
The passenger coach train has two floors. There is no first or second class. It’s all in one class. If you have baggage, the first floor of the train has a baggage rack. Some rail coaches may have lavatory or electrical outlet.
Once you’ve boarded the southbound train, stay onboard till the last station. MIA Airport Station is the last station (or terminus) for the Tri Rail Southbound line. In average, the traveling time between Fort Lauderdale to Miami Airport is around 45 minutes (you’ll be passing seven stations).
Step 4: Arriving at MIA Airport
Once the train arrives to MIA Station, take the escalators/elevators/stairs upstair to concourse level (2nd floor). Once your at that floor, look for MIA Mover (a people mover train; see video below)
There is no cost to ride the MIA Mover. This Train comes every 3 minutes and reaches to MIA Airport around 3 minutes.
Additional videos of Tri Rail between FLL Airport to MIA Airport YouTube videos
